Two killed in metro Atlanta carjackings in two days

State news briefs

ATLANTA -- Two men died in separate carjackings in metro Atlanta over a two-day span -- a passenger in one of the cars being stolen and an alleged carjacker.

Atlanta police said two men in a car with ''For Sale'' signs were approached by two others who expressed interest in the car and asked for a ride Thursday afternoon.

After getting into the back seat, one pulled a gun and shot the front seat passenger, police said. The driver and the wounded passenger dove from the car and the assailants drove off. The wounded man died. His identity was not released.

A few blocks away, police arrested Jaeel Rashad, 21, of Gary, Ind., and a man who refused to identify himself. They were charged with murder, armed robbery and carjacking.

On Wednesday, Deniro Simpson, 19, of Conyers was killed in DeKalb County while trying to hijack a car at a gas station, police said.

Richmond County officer fired, another resigns

AUGUSTA -- One of two Richmond County Sheriff's officers indicted last week on extortion and conspiracy charges have been fired. The other one resigned.

Lt. Stoney Ray Turnage, 47, and Investigator Roderick Berry, 43, were accused of accepting $40,000 in cash, tickets to the Masters golf tournament, shirts and Cuban cigars over the past five years in exchange for allowing an Augusta nightclub, Dolls Downtown, to keep its entertainment license, according to an indictment unsealed Dec. 13.

Turnage, a 25-year veteran who led the vice squad, resigned Wednesday. Berry, who worked with the department for 14 years, was fired Thursday.

Both were arrested after an eight-month investigation. They were released on $10,000 bond each. They appeared Wednesday in federal court in Augusta and pleaded innocent to the charges.

If convicted, the two face a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine on each of the eight counts against them.

Former police officer admits recklessness in boy's death

LAWRENCEVILLE -- A former police officer pleaded guilty Thursday to reckless conduct in the death of a 13-year-old who shot himself while handling the officer's handgun.

Tim Heiberger, who worked with the Norcross and Chamblee police, was sentenced to 12 months' probation, including six months of home confinement. Heiberger, 36, also must pay a $500 fine and court fees.

Jairo Govea Gomez of Norcross shot himself with Heiberger's .40-caliber Glock handgun Aug. 13, 2000, while he and the off-duty officer were in Gomez's bedroom. Heiberger, who had befriended Jairo two weeks earlier, told authorities he thought the gun was unloaded when the boy asked to see it.